Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-12-21
UNDER A CLOUD.

UNDER A CLOUD.
II WAS a COLI, Garx night in Febru-
sry The snow had been lying on the
hUusetOps for a fortnight. The trees
In the squares seemed ike frosted
skeletons. Everywhere overhead the
snow was still white and pure. Under
foot Was a damp, cold, slushy mixture
of Ice and mud, such as London only
can produce, which chilIs the badly
sh0d wayfarer 10 the bone. The lamps
gave but dim light in the side streets,
and the few pedestrians, marching
silently along in the quiet thorough
fares, seemed, with their noiseless foot
steps, 20 be so many sorrowful ghosts
condemned to a weary pilgrimage in a
silent city Of mist and darkness.
Frank Denton, however, felt none of
these things. AT five-and-twenty one
enjoys "a walk undeterted by fears of
cold and rheumatism; indeed, the driv-
ing rain OF geutly-falling snow gives a
zest when one is young, well-fed, we'll
clothed, and blessed with the knowledge
that the struggle with the elements
can be- ended at pleasure.
Frank, although he was not particu-
larry favored by fortune, was one of
been poor clergyman, who, struck
down by fever, left his wife and son
totally uuprOyIded for. Frank, then
sixteen, had been placed by one of his
fathers friends In a merchants Office.
Here he had remained, gradually i'm
proving ms position, and gaining the
confidence of his employers.
For the last two years, having had
the misfortune to lose his mother, he
had been living alone in London, and
being of quiet and studious habits, had
passed most OF the evenings IN the COM
pauy Of hIs books. He was out this
evening, after couple CT hours study,
and had been walking briskly along for
some time, his thoughts busy with
bright, imaginary future. For the last
few minutes he had been vaguely aware
of female form fitting along in front
Of HIM, and WAS conscious that, whilst
Ons-hdIf OF his brain had been busy
building castles IN the air, the other
half had been as busy admiring the
pretty lgure in front of him.
Just as Frank WAS about to pass
her, she seized him by the arm and
forced hun rudely back two or three
PAGES, and, before he could recover
himself, there was mufiled sound of
rushing hOOfs and rafting of harness,
horse and trap dashed madly over the
spot where he would have been, and in
another moment the vehicle Was caught
against the lamp-pOst at the corner and
smashed 10 pieces. In minute the
solitary street had a decent-sized crowd
In IL. IL Is a marvellous characteristic
OF London that no sooner does the
most trGlng accident occur than a
crowd seems TO grow up at once
Where the people come from is mys-
terry. They seem TO OOZe up from the
road, 90 emauate in some manner from
the very bricks to descend with the
blacks, 10 loat IN upon the wind
Frank, however, took little notice OF
the crowd. He was too much occupied
with his fair preserver, who, the dan
ger past, had tainted, and would have
fallen but tor his promptness in up
holding her, In tive or three minutes
the cool night air revived her, and they
walked on together TIL they found them
selves IN one of LOndOu's broad and
busy streets. Here she would have
wished him goodnight, but he insisted
on accompanying her "A little farther,
70 which, after Il faint resistance, she
agreed.
The strange manner in which they
had been introduced TO each other; the
service she had rendered him, for
which, he protested, he could never
sufficiently thank her; the earnest re-
lection on her part of any merit in
what she had done; gradually launched
them into lively conversations: so that
IN a short time they were talking as
familiarity as though they had known
each other for years. He learned that
she was employed at fashionable
mllllner's establishment at the West
End, and that she was making her way
10 her home near Is.ingtOn.
In spite of her humble position there
was a tone of refinement about her,
and his quick ear told him that heI
speech was that OF we'll educated per-
son. Her face was that of a charming
girl, and her figure was in keeping with
her face.
Too soon the walk came to an end
and Frank had to say goodnight and
once more thank his fair preserver fol-
the service rendered HIM. His lodging:
seemed very lonely and gloomy; and a:
he could not settle down to his book:
he retired to rest, in the hope that hC
might perhaps be so lucky rs 10 dream
OF ms new acquaintance.
Al, the next day her face kept appear
ing on the ledger or the letters he wa:
working at, and, perhaps, it was moi
So very remarkable that soon after
Mary Emerton had left Nine. Mi
chaud's, she met Frank, She coult
not refuse to acknowledge his saluta
ton, indeed she had little wish to GC
so, for his bright face and winning
manner had made a great impression
There had been little romance in he
dull, gray existence.
Many an evening did these young
people meet, and although some would
blame Mary tor admitting the ac
qualntauce OF one who was a tota
stranger To her, it must be remembered
that girls who have to work for thei
daily bread, and are accustomed Z
struggle in the everyday fight CT tn
world, are, as rule, quite capable o
taking care OF themselves. If Mar.
dld not at once inform her parents o
TINS new friendship, il was more out o
shyness than for any other reason.
Time went on. Frank was anxiou
10 have a home OF his own. and fel
that his position justified one OF hl
humble tastes in giving hostages {
fOrtune.n
Mary had long ago told him OF he
position and that OF her parents II
knew that her father gained living a
law-writer; that he had once been il
better Position. that he had assiste,
and guided his daughter IN rhs studie
that had made her far superior to mos